Signaling system.



No. 884,737. PATENTBD APR. 14, 1908.

E E KLBINSGHMIDT.v y

sI-GNALING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1906.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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INVENTQR No. 884,737. PATEN'IED APR. 14, 1908r E E KLEINSCHMIDTa SIGNAL-ING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAB. 7, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

lIM/ENTOR 6M i MM -w. ATTORNEY 55 Fig.-'6 a detail view of t UNITED STATES PATENT oEEroE.,

iinwi/ienn. KLErNsoi-Innrr,or 'New Your, N. Y., AssioNon To oEoaeE M. sEELEY, or NEW l YORK, N. Y.

lSIGHN'ALING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent,

Patented April i4, 190s.

To all whom 'it may conce-rn:

Be itknown that I, EDWARD E. KLEIN- scnMinT, a citizen oi the United States, and a residentof the 'borough of Manhattan, city,

1. county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Systems, of which the'following is a specification.

My invention relates to signaling systems and has been designed more particularly for single track steam and electric roads where the expense and iniiexibility of the systems heretofore in use have made their installation impractieable.

Generally stated the presentV system cornprises aplurality of signals established at .suitablel points along the road each signal having a designating number. The -signal circuits are on the normal danger principle so that. from-failure of the line or power circuits, breaking of either line or local connections, the signals will instantly move to danger and can not be restored to safety until the disturbing clause has been corrected. At each signal is a switch which when actuated effects the closing or opening of a shunt circuit around the signal ope-retin@r solenoid so as to dener ize or energize said solenoid when thesigna is tobe'set at danger and 30 safety respectively. These switches are controlled by an instrument at the home or despatchers oflice, said instrument comprising a series of electro magnets two ot which are re 'nired for the operation of each signal.

, n 'order that thedespatcher may be.advisedofthe setting of the sign-al I A rovide miniature signals corresponding to an moved in synchronism be operated by the movements of the tracksignals.'

The invention will be understood by reference v4to the accompanying drawings in which o Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view ofthe syste'mgfFig. 2 a top view of one ofthe signal o eifating switches; Fig. 3 a central section t rough the controlling instrument at the despatch'ers cnice; Fig. '4 a section on the plane' of the line 4-4of Fig. 2;, Fig. 5 a detail ofpart ofthe signal o erating switch and liiein' ke4 and break with the track signals. There is alsoplaced at the despatchers oiiice an.

- cuit .into solenoid 5 'and 'drawing rent froml circuit 57 With thisv general' understanding of the Vthe road. These switches are alike, two o mechanism for operating the audible or'visual signi-.tl and the recording instrument at the despatchers office.

Similar reference numerals indicate siniilar parts in the several views. '50

Referring to the drawings the numeral l desivnates the main ,line of" a single track roar and 2 the sidings, although it is to be understood that thepresent system is ada t Y ed to a double track road and' that the re erence to a single track road issolel'y for the purpose of illustration.' Any number of signals may be included in the system they being located on'la single track road' in roximity to the sidings so as to be readily o served 'by the engineer 4or motor-man'. -The. signalsA may be of any standard type mountedin the usual manner and asa-ll of the "s-i'frnals are operated in the same manner it will only be necessary to refer to one of them. In the type shown the sa-:ma horeb'lsule 3 ,is v.connected by a-link i to t e core'5 of asolenoid 5, the latter being normally energized by current from the power line SO through a, circuit. 57, in which is inter v`osed a' resistance 58,;t0 hold thebla'de 3 in sa etyposition. Thesolenoid 5 is fully`de'clnergized'by'closingashnnt .circuit 56 thus permitting the weighted spec* tacle end of the blade'to--move thelattento danger osition. VVhe'nthe-blade is .to be moved romV danger to safety' `a locali circuit 59 is closed through a solenoid switch 60 thus throwing the current vfrom the. ower cirtliecore 5 thereof inwardly to lower the blade. When' 90 the circuit 59 is brokenat-the switch 60 solenoid'5 will be sufficiently.' energized b y curasslng through resistance 58 tornaintainv ave Sin safetyposition.

method' of operating thesignal I will now describe the means by' which .the movements g of any one' of the signals along the road are:` effected.' Y

Located at the des atc-hers office -is a switchboard. 7 having tlhereon switches co1'- responding in number to `thev signals alon them being-shown in Fig. 1, the first switch having its Ie-verdesignnted, and the contact lates 8 and 9. A spring 6g ret-ainsthe lever in normal4 position. These s witehs vfare ada )ted :to close local circuits through' afconf' trolling instrument which as shown in Figs.

1 and 3 lcomprises a series of electromagnets 110 ported and helgd in normally retracted posietc., rest when in normal position.

tion by a spring 22. Supported upon posts .23 secured to base 13 is a ring 24 of insulating material against the under side of which the projecting ends of the armatures 14, 14', 142,

To preventany lateral movement oi the armatures A,their projecting ends may be conveniently guided by pins 24 projecting from the under side of ringV 24. Also projecting from the under side of said ringiis a stop-pin 21 to limit the upward movement of the outer end of armature 2 1 in such manner that said end is below'the horizontal plane of the projecting ends of armatures 14 and 14. The mag.- nets are all-connected to a common return wire 82.

' Theplate `8 of t'liedirst switch is included. in a circuit 140 which circuit also includes the electromagnet 12, and plate 9 is included in l circuit 11 which latter also includes electromagnet 1 2. 4

' switch and magnet 122 are included 1n circuit The plate 8 of .the second 410', and plate 9 and magnet 123 are included in circuitllf. The magnets 12, 122, 124 etc., control the closing of shunt circuit 56 and4 =-niagnets 12', 123, etc., the closing of circuit 59 of the corresponding signal for the puroses above stated. The controller circuits erive current from any suitable source as 81.

'It may be here stated that when magnets -20 and 12 are energized the signaler station #A Will'be set at danger, and when magnets 2O and 12 are ener ized said signal will be set at safety. To set t e signal .of station B at dariger magnets 2O and 12" must beenergized and to set said signal a't safety magnets 2() and 12, must be' en ergize`d. 4The magnet 2O is therefcre common to all the signals and'each signal has two corresponding magnets in the through which passes a. 'spindle 18.. The" `controller circuit. he' switches and the magnets ofy the controller instrument ,are

suitably numbered to correspond with the track signal controlled thereby.

Secured to base 13 is a hollow standard 17 upper projecting end of said Aspindle carries an arm 19 the normal position of which, as shown 'in Figs. 1 and 3, is against the projecting end of armature 21 said armature actm as a stop for said arm. To Vthe lower. o spindle 18 is .secured agearswheel 25 which -meshes with a pinion 42 6 keyed ona shaft 2,7

(see' Figs.; 1 'saidshaft 27 is The oppose the 4force. of the friction dragt at each signal along the road.

'semer keyed an Ordinar;T type .01" alternating cur rent coinniutator 32, As shown it consists of two complemental sections mortised into each other and separated by insulation 32. Depending from the under side of base 13 are posts 33 of insulating material to one of which is secured a )air of brushes 34 one or" said brushes beinga ways in contact with the upper section of' the commutator and -the other with the lower section thereof. To the other post 33 is secured a air of brushes 35, these two brusheslying in t 1e same horizontal plane so that but one is shown in Fig 3. As commutator 32 is rotated the brushes 35 alternately contact with the upper and lower sec tions thereof. Commutator 32 and brushes 34 and 35 are included i'n the line circuit 36 connectpe to a suitable source of 'energy as 37, the purpose of said commutator being to Y convert the normally direct current on the line circuit into an alternating current for the .pur ose of feeding a ratchet wheel 42 inclu ed in the signal operating which Will be hereafter described.

, In its normal osition arm 19 on spindle 18 is held against t e side of the projecting endy of armature 21 and at such time the commutator 32 will be at rest. To effect thev rotation off commutator 32 when arm 19 is re leased, I couple shaft 27 with a-driving gear 31 by means of any convenient clutch. As shown the lower end of shaft`27 has secured to it a cup 28 the inner wall of which isengaged by a friction drag 29 Vmounted on sprin arms 30. The driving gear `31 is keye 't'o a shaft 31 the upper end of which is stepped into the bottom of cup 28, it being obvious that although gear 3,1 is continuously rotated no movement will be imparted to shaft 2T while arm 19 is' held by armature switches as 21, and that ,the direct -current flowing through line circuit 36 will remain'n'ormal. Wlien arm 19 isreleased there is nothing to 29 against the inner wall Vof cup v28'and sha -2'7 will then be rotated Vthereby rotating the commutator 'and converting thel direct current on line circuit 36 into analternatin current. At'the-sa'me time spindle 18 an arm 19 are rotated until the latterl is brought to rest by engaging with one of the, armatures'of the controlling instrument as willbemore fully described in the statement of o eration of the system. I will now describet e signal operating switch shown in Fig. 2, itbeinglocated understood that one such switch, is

` The signal operating switch comprises a polarizedmagnet 38 Whichyis included in ne circuit 36. Projecting between the poles 39 of said magnet is a lever. 40 pivotally supported Iat 40. Lever 40carries at its-outer end a 'spring p essed'pawl 41 which engages.

agitata. fo a .ratchet *m1061429* Said ratchet wheelisjkeyed to a shaftZfSteppd irri fi; l-

.75 around when'ratchet 42'is rotated. The

*c fingers 54 and 55 oi'a given switch are so ad justed on shaft 42 that' the lower one 55 isa lstepin `advance ofthe upper one 54. i

-lliountedv rona bracket secured to base 84`is an electroma'gnet kv43 included in line y circuit 36. Said circuit being `normally .v closed armature 44 of said magnet is normally attracted. 'The armature 44 isfsecured vto a stud 44"pivotall'y steppedin adjustable 15 85 and is retracted by a spring 45 when magnet 43 is denergized'.' Clamped between cllars on the stud'44and extending longitudinally above and below armature 44 are two' springv arms 46 and 47 having transvers'ely projecting heads vone of which 51 is .'shownfin Fig. 2. Y l is' shown in Fig. 2 and the corresponding head of the arm 47 lies immediately below and isnotsho'wn but is similar in all respects. The Varms 46 and 47 normally press againstr a stop-plate 87 secured 4to the inner sidel of armature 44 so that they move with. said armature when the latter is attracted and retracted -and they also have al rearward movement independent of the armature i @when brought into engagement with the iingers 54 and 55. Secured to the outer 'side oi armature 44 is a block of insulatingmaterial 88 on which are mounted two pairs of s ring v'contact plates 49 and 50. The plates oteachy pair are normally separated and the inner one rests against the insulated outer end 53 of the A heads 51 and 52. The plates 49' are included 4Q in shunt circuit 56, and plates 50 are included in circuit l59..`

j The operation of the circuit'fso far defscribed is as follows.

all of the signals are at safety and it is des ired to set one of them at danger. For convenience signal A will be known as signal No. 1 and signal B as No.` 2. -When it is desired to -set No.1 at danger the despatcher moves "switch-lever 6 into contact with plate 8 thus closing thecontroller circuits through magnets 2O and 12. When said magnets' are thus energized armature 21 will be drawn downwardly so as to release arm 19 and armature 14 will be drawn downwardly so te lie across thepath of said arm when it "of the rotation of commutator 32 and spindle l' 18 and such rotation will continue until arm v 5 5 the current of line circuit 3 5 and armature 44 n bearings carried vby the arms 85 offbracket...

The head 51 of the arm 46 5 and permitting Vhen 'shunt 56 isv opened the current from lt will be assumed that tated. The releasing cf arm 19 will permit 14. -During the rotation of the commutator- With spring arms 46 and 47 will be retracted. ln their normal positions ywith'armature 44 attracted the heads 51 and 52'l'ie across the path of fingers 54 and 55 respectively. Willen retracted the heads 51 and 52 will be in position to strike against lthe ends of fingers 54 and 55 respectively. 'The positioning oi these lingers is accomplished bythe vibration of lever 40 bett en cles 139,'said lever being alternately att ted and 'repelled by the alternations ofthel current Von line circuit 36. The lingers 54 andy 55 of the switch of signal No. 1 are so adjusted on shaft1 42 that when said signal is to be set at danger the vibrations of lever 4(1"will feed ratchet-42 a sumcient distance to bring iinger 5.4 directly in. front of head 51 asindicated in dotted linesI Fig. 2. `When arm 19 is brought to rest against armature 14 the-rotation of commutator 32 willl be arrested thus restoring line circuit 36 to normal condition, energizing magnet 43. and attracting armature'44. As the latter moves forward the head 51 of arm 46 will contact withv the end of finger 54 thereby' keeping said armbackwarc'l as arma# ture 44' moves Vto its attracted position.

This results in bringin the Vtwo contact plates 49 togetherthus c osing the shunt ein. cuit 56, thereby f ully denergizing vsolencid blade 3V to move toda-nger.

line 8() passes through resistance 58 the pull of solenoid 5 at'suchxtirne bein insu'liicient to` move the signal `andUit wil/remain at danger. v

The despatcherretains lever'i oncnntact plate 8 until advised by the means later'def scribed that Nog-:1 signal hasbeen set yat danger.' Lever 6 is then released-and rotated until it res'uines its'norrnal position shown 'in 'Fig 1.

When the controller circuits of magnets 20 and 12 are breken armatures 14 and 1 2'1 will resume tneir normal positions, the

former freeing arm 19 which is Vthen rotated'funtil brought to rest -against` ,the muet,

Through this rotation'of 'shaft 27"and coml mutator 32 the current on line circuit 36 will f be converted finto'an alternating current thus d'energizing magnet 43 and'permittingarinature 4,4 and spring. arms 46 and 47 to be retracted. At the sameitirnelever '40 is vibratedso as to restorearins 54 and 5 5 to normal position. Nhenarmffi is .brought .to

rest against armature 21the rotaticn of commutator 32 will be arrested, "magnet 43 will-v be energizedse astoattract armature44 and arms 46 and 47 will be moved to normal position. When the. armature 44 resumes its normal position contact plates 49 Willsepa-l rate thus opening ,shunt circuit 56.

When signal No. 1 is to be moved from' danger .tosafety thel despatcher brings switch lever 6 into contact lwith theflower platev 9 of the switch-bcard. "This closes 'the controller lcircuit 11 threugli'inagnets EDY-'and' j W'when the lower spring This results in closing circuit 59 through con-1` tact plates 50. 4Solenoid switch 6,0being included in'said circuit will be energized thus throwing the current from the 'power line 8O through solenoid 5.l V.The core5 of said solenoid being drawn inwardly will restore blade 3 to safety position.l Whenswitch lever 6 is moved out of engagement'with contact *plate 9 arm 19 will be' released fromf engagement with armature14 troller instrument and of the signal operating switch will 4berestored to normalpositions as already described. -Vihen circuit 59 is broken by the separation of contact plates 50 solenoid switch 6.0 will bedenergized7 the interposed resistance58 in circuit 57 permitto *maintainv ting sufficient current to pass solenoid 5 energized to hold blade 3 at safety.

All of'the signal operating switches are grouped in series and included in line circuitarin 19 is'released by the movement of any one of the switchboard -levers either tothe danger or safety contact plates 8 or 97 the magnets 43 of al 36v so that whenever of the switches will be denergized and the levers 40 of all of the switches will be caused to vibrate. When the magnet of the controller instrument corresponding to the signal that is to be set arrests the movement of arm 19 then the magnets 430i all of the rest,` butthe finger 54 switch corres onding switches willbe energized and the ratchets 42 of all of the switches will be brought to or the iinger of' thev to the signal to 'be sent will be the on yone in front of the corresponding head 51 or 52. That is when a signal is to be set at danger only one of the fingers 54 of all of the switches will be in iront of the correspondinghead 51; if the signal is to be set at' safety then only one of the fingers 55 of all of the switches'will be in front of' the corresponding head' 52. In order to avoid interference in the setting of the signals it is necessary that thel signal operating switches shall bel so timed relative to each-other ing shunt that when for example. a iinger 54 of one of the switches is in position to close the correspondof the other switches will be in position to close its corresponding shuntcircuit 56,- and one will be in advance of the similarly Vwith regard to the fingers 55. is accomplished by of the several switches in such manner that other, and the rllhis adsame with regard to the fingers 55.

justment is'in harmony with the position of` ment. From t seen that magnet 12 controls the setting of .i on around thev controller vand the parts of the con- Ature of the controller magnet. zif signal No. 2 is varmature 143.

,contact plate 9.

circuit 56V no other finger 54 of any rThis i adjusting the fingers 54p the' several magxnets of Jthe controller instru-V e above description it wil signal No. 1 at danger. andthat magnet 12. controls the setting of thel saine'si'gnal at safety.A Magnet 122 controls .thesetting jof signal No. 2 at danger and magnet 123 thesetting .of the same signal at safety, and so instrument' there being two controller magnets for eachsignal. These magnets -and the magnet 2.0 are so disposed 'in Projectingdistantfso tions oi the currenton line circuit 36 are obtained. when arm 19 passes from one armature to the next succeeding. -V This -will result in positioning either one of the'fingers 54 vor 55 according to whether the signal is' to be Yset at danger'or safety whenever the arm 19 after being'released by armature 2 1 is brought to rest by engagingthe correspondingarmato be set at danger, arm 19 will not be arrested until it engages 'with armature 142.' During this movement of arm 19 a given lnumber of impulses will be sent over the line 36 to stop ratchet wheel.42 of the switch corresponding to signal No. 2 to properly position its iin er 54. VIf signal No.- 2 is to be set at safety' t arm19-'will not .be `arrested until it engages justment of thengers 54 and 55 for the several switches may be easily eifectedby means oi the set screws. 0f coursefit will-be understood that ywhen signal No. 2 is to be set -either at danger orV safetyV position switch lever 6 is moved to either contact plate 8 or the despatcher will operate the corres ondinglever on the switch-board and so on or all of the other signals along the road the levers on the sWitch-boa-rd-being numbered to cor'- respond with *the4 number of the signal.

y l Embraced within the ypresent system are means for advising the despatcher that the signal has' been set according to his intentions and for making a permanent record of the fact. Such means include a series of miniature signals mounted on the switch-board. 5

As Vshown in Fig. 1` these signals' comprise a blade adapted to be moved todanger or "safety positions bythe movements of cores of solenoids 71 4and 72 res 'vectively said so-v4 lenoids beingv included in tiie circuits of the A cont-roller magnets of they/corresponding track signal. i

No. 1 is moved into contact withpiate 8 solenoid 71 will be energized andes the. core theretoiris drawn inwardly the clade-7() will be moved to danger. W hen switch lever 6 is moved into engagement with Contact plate 9then solenoid. 72 will be energized and blade Ti) restored to safety. Themovements' of the' controller instrument that. theV ends of their armatures are equi-v that the same number of alterna- For instance,

-This matter of the proper ad- If signal No. 3 is tobe set l'be en the movement of'l the yminiature blade 7() advises the despatcher that the controller circuits are' in operative condition.

As shown in Fig. 1 the solenoids of the miniature signals are connected to the Varmaturesoi corrcsponding controller magnets so that when arm 19 is y'arrested by a givenv controller l armature the circuit of the solenoid ci the 'corresponding miniature signal will be closed through arm 19and as hereafter yeirplained, through contacts 95 and 96.`

In order that the despatcherm'ay be advised that solenoid .of the corresponding sign'alhaslbeen denergized and the signa set at danger I secure to the core 5 of said solenoid a notched plate 76. When the blade 3 is at safe-ty the line circuit 36 is closed at the plate 76 by contact therewith of a spring iinger 75 resting against it as indicated in Figs-1 andv 6. When solenoid 5 is vfully d e- .energized and the blade moved to danger I the plate 76 'will be drawn upwardly andv as nal will make a permanent record on the tapey 90 ofthe number of the lsignal operated. The

1 bell 73 and the `recorder 74 are operated lboth in case of dispute the record made by. the rewhen the signal is set at danger-and safety.

lBy these means thedespatcher is fullyade vised that the propersignal has been set and i y'cordine instrument 74 will determinelthel fact.

5 In vige. 2 and 4 I have shownmeans to synchronize the ratchet wheels 42. Secured to the inner side of armature 44 is a-bracket on the outer end of which is pivotally mounted an arm 64. In an opening inthe end of said arm' is loosely mounted a-follower 63 said follower being heldin said opening by a spring 63. rThe follower. 63 -is adapted t6 engage a spiral lgroove 62 von shaft 42. Bur- I ing the normal` operation of the systemwhen' vratchet downward and released onlywhen magnet 43 Under] normal condiv'seta signal at dan er I provi e a normally "closed switch 97.`

magnet 43is energized the arm 64 is moved backward so as torelease follower-63 from theycam groove. During the alternations of the currenton line-circuit 36 when magnet 43 is de'nergizedthe follower 63movesinto en-j gagement 'with the Vcam groove y 42 is fed the arm 64 will be carried is ,again energized.A

s never moved to its lowermost the normal danger principle.

' outwardly. y "broken solenoid 91 permitting core 92 to move outwardly and in 's'o Adoing to separate the contacts 93 thus de- `energizing solenoid 5 and the number of the and when i'noved to safety when being restored to its upper- A .mgt/position' when magnet, 43 is energized sure that the arms54- and 55 are in roper adjustment I provide a switch 68 in t e circuit of magnet 20. When 'switch 68 'is closed magnet 2O of the controller will be'energized thus releasing arm 19 and permitting it to rotate as long as swltch 68 isvclosed. This, as

labove explained, results in denergizing magnet 43 and permitting follower 6'3 to rey main 1n engagement with cam groove62, and

,ratchet 42 to be fed until arm 64 is carried to its lowermost position. When that occurs a stop-pin 67 on the face of ratchet 42 will contact with a-toe 69 on arm 64 thereby-arresting the movement of ratchet 42. Stoppin 67 is so placed that when this contact takes place the arms 54 and 55 will be in normal position. It will be understood, of

course,' that stop-pin 67 isl differently positioned 1n the several signal Aoperating switches.

As before. stated th-e signal circuits arey on As shown in Fig. 1 I interpose in the line circuit 36 at each signal a solenoid 91 which being normallyen- 4ergized its core 92 will be drawn inwardly.

During the alternations of the current on the line circuit |solenoid 91 will not be denergized suliciently to allow its core tomove ShouldV the line circuit be will be denergized thus permitting the signal to move to danger. the line circuit is repaired then solenoid 91 willbe energized closing the circuit at con-. tacts 93, the spring 93 being sufficient for that purpose. For the purpose of setting the miniature signals on the switch-board through When the break in line circuit 36 I interpose in said circuit, preff erably .at the .despatchers oiiice7 av relay 94 the. armature 95 of which is normally attracted; When. line circuit 36 is alternately opened and closed by the movement of the Vserrated plate 76 attached to the core of solen-l oid751 then relay.. 94 will be denergized permitting its armature 9,5 ltoengage a contact 96 included in the return circuit of solenoids 71 and 72 of the miniature-signals. According to this method when the'despatcher moves switch-board lever 6'into engagement Vwith contact plate 8 then solenoid'71 will not .be energized. By retaininglever 6 oncontact plate 8 and brealingthe line circuit f36 ,bythe movement--0ff serrated P1me 76 Such' movement willclese the return circuit of 4solenoid71 `through arm 19 as heretofore` explai'ned thusv energizing the latter and moving the AAcorresponding miniature signal to danger.' In like manner said signal will be solenoid 72 is energized. To enable an operator alon the road to y manually moving the lever of thls switchcircuit 57 will be opened thus denergizingsolenoid 5 and permittingv `the signal to move to danger. The signal the despatcher being notified 'of the setting" of a given signal through the opening of the i, the miniature signal and t at clear position, and electricaly ing station, a plurality olf' receiving stations,V

corresponding switch 97 by the movement of e operation of the indicating bell 73' and recorder 74.' p A feature of importance in connection With the present system is that the line circuit requires -number of signals. This materially lessens the cost of installation and maintenance and 'simplies the entire system in that it.does

' away with relays and special contacts.

`'What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.-.ln a selective'signaling system, a plurality of signal stations, signal devices adapted when released to move automatically to position, a Wire connecting said stations sto p an normally carrying current, electromagnets at the several stations connected to said Wire and normally holding the si al devices actuated step-by-'step devices adapted "to release said `signals selectively.

2. In a selective signaling system, a sendsignal devices vat the receiving stations adaptto move to stop position 'when release( Wireconnecting said stations, means at the sending station for normally maintaining a voltage o'n said Wire, electromagnets` at the receiving stations connected to Sayid Wire and normally holding said signaldevices in clear position', and means whereby said devices may be selectively released from the sending station.

3. f In a system of the character described,

a switch-board, a controller having a lseries of ing si al switch. i. il?

adjustable stops, a plurality of track signals, switches for operating` said signals, and Asaid stops from the switch-boar to operate the corresponda system of the character described, a ltrack signal, a normally energized solenoid for maintaining said signal in safety osition, a shunt for said solenoid, a normal y closed line, circuit, a switch for closing said shunt included insaid line circuit, and a controller for sending alternating impulses over theline circuit for 'operating said .switch to,close the shunt when the signal is to 4be setat danger.

5. In a system of the character described,

i la controller com rising a commutator and means to rotate t e same, a plurality of magnets and stops controlled thereby,frneaiis for energizingf a given controller magnet to set its stop so as to arrest the' commutatoi", means Jfor releasingthe commutator and for rotating the same When released and luntil but one Wire to` operate any` ,magnets controller circuits and means gov-l erning, the same to release said arm from its Y brought to rest by one of the stops, a line circuit including said commutator, track signals, and means governed by the alternating current vimpressed on the line circuit to set saidsigrf'ials according to the arrangement of the stops.A Y 4 6. Ina system or" the character described, a controller comprising a plurality of electromagnets, a normally closed line circuit., va commutator included in said circuit said commutator being normall at rest, a plurality of track signals, means or energizing said controlleriniagnetsto permit the rotation of said commutator, and means governed by the alternating current impressed upon said line circuit When the coniiiiutator is rotated to set the signal corresponding to the energized magnet. p

.7. Ina system ot the character described, a controller comprising a plurality oi electromagnets7 a'n arm and means to rotate the saine, said arm being held in normal position by. the armature of one of said magnets, av

-commutator, adapted to be rotated W ien said arni is released, a line circuit includin said commutator, and means controlled by tghe alternating current impressed on said circuit Wh'en the comniutator' is rotated to set a i given signal. y

8. ln asysteni of the character described, a controller comprising a plurality olelectroma ets having movable armatures, a norma ly closed line circuit, a commutator included in held at' rest by any one of the magnet armatures, controller circuits and means governing the same so as to move the corresponding magnet armature to permit of the rotation of said commutator, track signals correspond- Y ing to the controller magnets, and means governed by the alternating current impressed upon said line circuit when the commutator is rotated to set the corresponding signa. l

9. In a system of the character described, a controller comprisin a plurality of electromagnets having mova le armatures, a coinmutator and means to rotate the same, an arm geared -to said commutator so that the latter will be brought to rest by said arm engaging any one on the magnet armatures, track signals corresponding to 'f he controller normal position and to permit its rotation and the rotation of the commutator-until the 4 latter is broughtto rest by said armengaging the armature of the magnet 'the alternating current to set said signal. 'A

, 10. In a system of the character described, a plurality of track signals, an operating switch for each signal, two circuits/adapte to be closed vand opened by said switch one of said circuits setting the corresponding signal said circuit said commutator being corresponding to the signal to be set, and means governed by at danger and the `other setting'it at safety, said circuits' being Jnormally open, circuit closers comprising movable arms, lingers projecting "into the pathsy of said arms, .and means to position said fingers #for the purpose described. 1

11. 4 In a system of the character described, a track signal, two circuits directly controlling the setting of said signal, a switch comprising rotatably mounted fingers', and means to' position said fingers to close lthe corre. sponding'circuit to set the signal at danger or 1 safety. y

l' 12. In a system ot the character described, a track signal, twocircuits .directly controlling the setting of said signal, a switch' comprising a ratchet wheel, two fingers carried by said wheel, circuit closers adapted 'to' be moved by said fingers', and means to feed said wheel a pre-determined distance to 4position said fingers to act upon the circuit. closers.

- 1 3. In a system of the character described, a plurality of track signals, an operatin switch for each signal, two circuits adapte to be closed and openedby said switch one'I of said circuits setting the correspondingfsignal' `at danger and the other setting it at safety, said circuits being normally open, circuit closerscomprising two arms, an electromagnet having a pivoted armature on which 'said arms are carried, said arms being moved by and also havingV a movement. 'inde endent of that of the armature, and means or impartingto said arms such independent movement to effect the closing of the corresponding circuit.

14. In a system of the character described,

4a plurality of track signals a single line wire the track sign miniature signals by the movements of the 'tracksignala' 4 Jfor controlling the movements-0f said signals, .a series of indicators-'corresponding to the track signals, and means for operating saidindicators by the movements of the track signals. A* y 15. In a system of the character described; f

a plurality of track signals, a single line Wire for controlling the movements of said signals 'aseries-of miniature signals corresponding to als, and means fo setting said 16. In a vselective signalin system, a plurality of signal stations, signa ldevices adapt. 'ed when released to move automaticallyqto y 4sto position, a wire connecting said stations. an normally carryingcurrent, solenoids at the several stations connected to said wire, cores Afor said lsolenoids connected to said. signal devices and 'normally holding them at clear position, and electrically actuated step-lj by-ste devices adapted to denergize said solenoids to :thereby release said signals selectivel J y Y 17. n a selective signaling system, a plurality of signal stations, selective signal-com. trolling devices at theseveral stations, elec- 

